Pupils from three schools enjoyed a day to remember at Twickenham on Saturday as they paraded as flagbearers on the pitch ahead of England’s NatWest 6 Nations clash with Wales.

The opportunity was afforded to them thanks to their involvement in the CBRE All Schools programme this season.

Launched in 2012, the initiative has been developed by the RFU to increase the amount of rugby played in schools, encourage new players to join local clubs and create a positive legacy through the sport and its core values.

Last autumn representatives from the RFU’s official partner Canterbury conducted kit-design workshops around the country, one of which was attended by the Dean Academy, Forest High School and the Gloucester Academy. The bespoke kit designed by the pupils will be delivered to the school in the coming weeks for the teams to play in for the rest of the season and years to come.

Stepping out onto the hallowed turf of Rugby HQ with a packed Twickenham crowd watching on, 15-year-old Dean pupil Mason Cunliffe, from Lydney, said it was a day he will not forget in a hurry.

“It’s a real thrill to be here and taking it all in,” he said.

“I’m so thankful to have been sent from my school to represent them as well. I know it means a lot to be here.
“What I love about rugby is the social side of things.

“Everybody gets on with each other even after a tough game.

“It teaches you a lot of values as a person.”

The schools were three of 80 to make the trip to South West London having been a part of the CBRE All Schools programme this season.

The initiative aims to take rugby into 750 state secondary schools by 2019 and ahead of the match pupils were treated to a lunch and photoshoot with England internationals Ellis Genge and Harriet Millar-Mills, as well as being given new Canterbury kit to wear as flagbearers.

Gloucester Academy pupil Travon Powell, 18, was thrilled to be invited down to Twickenham.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for the teacher that picked me, I feel blessed,” said Travon.

“Hopefully I can get the numbers of the players coming in here today, go out for a Costa with them next week and get to know them!

“I don’t watch much rugby so I’m just going to ask them how they are and how their day is going, stuff like that.

“If I can go out with them or meet them some time then I can get to know rugby better!

“I might even take up touch rugby you know, I do a lot of boxing so I like the contact in rugby.”

Ahead of Saturday’s 12-6 win for England, Ellis Genge gave a talk to the visiting schools about what rugby has done for their life and how the sport’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship can apply to many real-life situations – not just on the rugby field.

“When I was younger we didn’t go too far but some of these schools have travelled from all over the country to come down here, so it’s a great day all round,” said Genge.

“It’s great to see all of the young rugby players from around the country coming together as one.

“Some of these kids would never have had the chance to come to Twickenham so it’s a wonderful opportunity in that respect and they all seemed to make the most of it.”

CBRE All Schools supported by Canterbury is one of the RFU’s key legacy programmes, set up to increase the number of state secondary schools playing rugby union in England. Visit www.englandrugby.com/allschools to find out more